Swimming pool with integral walkway



April 23, 1963 A. ZARS 3,086,220

SWIMMING POOL WITH INTEGRAL WALKWAY Filed Sept. 27, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.

Fig.2

Leif A. Zars INVENTOR.

April 23, 1963 L. A. ZARS 3, 8

SWIMMING POOL WITH INTEGRAL WALKWAY Filed Sept. 27, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Leif A. Zars INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,086,220 SWIMMING POOL WITH INTEGRAL WALKWAY Leif A. Zars, The Gary Company, 111 NE. Military Drive, San Antonio, Tex. Filed Sept. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 141,185 2 Claims. (Cl. 4-172) This invention relates to a novel and useful swimming pool which is constructed with an integrally formed walkway that projects laterally and outwardly away from the upstanding peripheral walls of the swimming pool.

It is of course desirable to construct a swimming pool having a walkway formed thereabout and in most instances the walkway is formed separately from the swimming pool. However, this two piece construction of a swimming pool and a surrounding walkway results in a considerable amount of splash out and rain water leaking down between the walkway and the walls of the pool and eroding and expanding the soil beneath the walkway. Additionally, uneven pressures caused by this erosion and/or expansion beneath a walkway disposed about the upper ends of the side walls of a pool can result in the walkway being buckled and broken. Accordingly, in the past it has been throught desirable to form a laterally and outwardly projecting walkway integrally with the side walls of a swimming pool about which the walkway is formed. However, such an integral walkway is often broken by means of ground pressures exerting an upward thrust from beneath the walkway which pressure can be in the neighborhood of 5,000 p.s.i.

Accordingly, the main object of this invention is to provide a swimming pool having a laterally and outwardly projecting walkway formed integrally therewith but constructed in a manner whereby ground pressures will be ineffective for exerting an upward thrust on the laterally and outwardly projecting walkway.

A further object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, is to provide a laterally and outwardly projecting walkway about the side walls of a swimming pool which is formed integrally with the swimming pool and is internally reinforced by means of reinforcing rods disposed therein and connected to similar reinforcing rods used in the construction of the side walls of the swimming pool.

Still another object of this invention, in accordance with the preceding object, is to construct the swimming 7 pool within a ground excavation in a manner whereby an air space or void is maintained immediately beneath the walkway formed about the upper marginal edge portions of the walls of the swimming pool. In this manner,

ground pressure is disposed beneath the Walkway and will be ineffective to exert an upward pressure on the laterally and outwardly projecting walkway.

Still another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, is to provide a soft and compressible fill which partially fills the void space formedbeneath the laterally and outwardly projecting walkway whereby the walkway may be sealed relative to the ground surrounding the excavation in which the swimming pool is formed.

A further object of this invention is the simplification of the construction of the upper edge of a swimming pool by effectively reducing the amount of forming work required from the usual average of 8" to approximately 4".

Another object of this invention is to effect a reduction in costs of constructing a swimming pool with a walkway.

Still another object of this invention is to eliminate the necessity for expensive types of waterproof expansion joints (such as Thiokol, copper water stops and simi- 3,086,220 Patented Apr. 23, 1963 "ice lar) between the pool and walkway. These water stops are normally mandatory in conventional, construction in that splash out from pool as well as rain water must be kept from seeping down alongside and underneath the pool structure with resultant damages caused from the expansive characteristics of soil (up to 5,000 p.s.i.).

A final object to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a swimming pool with an integral walkway which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and tied into the walls of the swimming pool in a manner whereby the walls of the swimming pool will themselves support the walkway in order to provide a swimming pool with a surrounding integral walkway which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple constructionand have an extended life expectancy.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a swimming pool constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3- of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view similar to that of FIGURE 3 but showing a modified form of pool construction.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates a section of ground in which an excavation generally referred to by the reference numeral 12 has been formed and which excavation is provided with a surrounding shallow recess generally referred to by the reference numeral 14.

The swimming pool of the instant invention is generally referred to by the reference numeral '16 and includes a bottom 18 and an upstanding peripheral wall 20 which has formed integrally therewith a laterally and outwardly projecting walkway generally referred to by the reference numeral 22. The bottom, peripheral wall and walkway 22 are formed integrally and of any cementitious material such as concrete or Gunite which is any suitable form of cementitious material that may be sprayed through a cement gun. In forming the swimming pool 16, reinforcing rods 24- are laid out in a mesh pattern within the excavation 12. Then, Gunite or other cementitious material may be sprayed onto the mesh of reinforcing rods 24 and it is to be noted that the Gunite or similar walls shall be of such thickness and consistency to exceed 3,000 p.s.i. compressive strength. A Marblite plaster finish is utilized to cover all but the upper surfaces of the peripheral wall 20 and ceramic tile 28 may be utilized to cover the extreme upper portions of the peripheral wall 20'. It has been found economical to utilize standard bullnose ceramic tile as the top piece of wall trim in that it, once in place, in itself acts as the interior form for topping. Topping sections 28 overlie the walkway 22 and it will be observed that wedge-shaped filler '30 is formed between the adjacent portions of the adjacent surfaces of the peripheral wall and the walkway 22. The filler 30 and the walkway 22 are each also internally reinforced by means of reinforcing rods 24 and it will be noted therefore that the walkway 522 is tied into the peripheral wall 20 in a manner which will enable the peripheral wall 20* to support the walkway 22.

The shallow recess 14 formed about the upper portion of the excavation 12 is fully filled with soft fill material 32 and with setting and compaction that will take place in this soft fill material an air space or void 34 is formed between the soft fill 32 and the lower surface of the walkway 22. It will be noted that the upper surface of the walkway 22 is substantially flush with the ground level and that the soft fill 32 and the ground form a seal with the walkway 22 at its outermost extremity. It is of course to be noted that the walkway 22 extends entirely about the pool 16 although the walkway 22 may be formed as desired and to extend only partially about the pool 16.

Radius steps 36 may be formed in one corner of the pool 16 and suitable anchors 33 are secured in sockets (not shown) in the peripheral wall 20 on opposite sides of the pool 16, A safety rope or life line 40 extends between the anchors 38 and is provided with suitable floats 42. The deep end of the pool 16 may be provided with a suitable drain construction 44 and a cover 46 encloses a recess in which a skimmer assembly generally referred to by the reference numeral 43 is disposed. Additionally, a vacuum outlet 50 may also be formed in the peripheral wall 20. Still further, one end of the pool may be provided with a suitable diving board 52 and a ladder construction 54 may be suitably secured to the peripheral wall 20 and walkway 22 in any convenient manner.

In forming the pool 16 the reinforcing rod 24 may be suitably placed within the excavation 12 then, a suitable form consisting of soft fill 32 may be provided for the walkway and wedge-shaped filler about the periphery of the excavation 12. After the concrete or cement has been placed and/or Gunite has been sprayed to form the bottom, peripheral wall and walkway of the pool 16, the soft fill 32 beneath the walkway 22 is allowed to settle and compact thus forming the void or air space 34.

With attention now directed to FIGURE 4 of the drawings there will be seen a modified form of swimming pool which is also generally designated by the reference numeral 12 and which is substantially identical to the swimming pool illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 3 with the exception being that in place of the topping 28 a cast stone coping 56 is utilized and is provided with a lip portion 58 which extends over the upper end of the uppermost course of ceramic tile 28.

Inasmuch as the air space or void 34 is provided, upward pressure of the ground 10 beneath the walkway 22 will be ineffective to exert an upward pressure on the walkway 22. Accordingly, inasmuch as the walkway 22 is formed integrally with the peripheral wall 20 and the peripheral wall 20 comprises the sole support for the walkway 22, the chances of ground pressure exert ing sutficient upward force on the walkway 22 to break it from the remainder of the cementitious material of the pool 16 will be virtually eliminated. Accordingly, the walkway 22 will have a great life expectancy and should be substantially trouble-free throughout its life.

As can be seen from FIGURE 4 of the drawings the pressure zone 60 caused by saturation of that portion of the ground 10 is disposed outwardly of and is spaced from the peripheral wall 20. It will be noted that the zone 60 has been caused by splash or rain water entering the ground 10 at the outer peripheral edge of walkway 22. However, a pressure zone such as that indicated at 62 in FIGURE 4 and shown in phantom lines would be formed if the splash and rain water were allowed to enter the ground 10 from a joint (not shown) between the walkway 22 and the peripheral wall 20. If a pressure zone such as zone 62 were allowed to form, the inward pressure of the zone 62 on the peripheral wall 20 would be very great. Therefore, it may be seen that forming the walkway 22 integrally with the peripheral wall 20 eliminates the formation of a pressure zone immediately adjacent the peripheral wall 20.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A swimming pool construction, in combination with a ground excavation, said swimming pool including an upstanding rigid peripheral wall formed against the sides of said excavation and terminating at its upper end at substantially ground level, said peripheral wall including an integral laterally and outwardly projecting cantilever walkway extending at least partially about the upper end of said peripheral wall, said walkway being supported by said peripheral wall and being designed to support all normal superjacent loads, said side wall and walkway including internal reinforcement and said excavation including a shallow recess underlying said walkway throughout substantially its entire outward extent from the outer surfaces of said peripheral wall.

2. The method of forming a swimming pool in a ground excavation comprising the following steps: forming a bottom with an integral, upstanding and internally reinforced peripheral side wall within said excavation and with said bottom and side wall disposed in surfaceto-surface contacting relation with the bottom and sides of said excavation and with said peripheral wall including an integral laterally and outwardly extending cantilever walkway at its upper marginal portion extending at least partially around said peripheral wall and internally reinforced and tied into said peripheral wall for support therefrom, and forming an air space beneath the lower surface of said walkway extending outwardly from said peripheral wall substantially the entire outward extent of said walkway.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,464,804 Booraem Aug. 14, 1923 1,915,032 Poulter June 20, 1933 1,929,215 Poulter Oct. 3, 1933 2,140,978 Beeby Dec. 20, 1938 

1. A SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION, IN COMBINATION WITH A GROUND EXCAVATION, SAID SWIMMING POOL INCLUDING AN UPSTANDING RIGID PERIPHERAL WALL FORMED AGAINST THE SIDES OF SAID EXCAVATION AND TERMINATING AT ITS UPPER END AT SUBSTANTIALLY GROUND LEVEL, SAID PERIPHERAL WALL INCLUDING AN INTEGRAL LATERALLY AND OUTWARDLY PROJECTING CANTILEVER WALKWAY EXTENDING AT LEAST PARTIALLY ABOUT THE UPPER END OF SAID PERIPHERAL WALL, SAID WALKWAY BEING SUPPORTED BY SAID PERIPHERAL WALL AND BEING DESIGNED TO SUPPORT ALL NORMAL SUPERJACENT LOADS, SAID SIDE WALL AND WALKWAY INCLUDING INTERNAL REINFORCEMENT AND SAID EXCAVATION INCLUDING A SHALLOW RECESS UNDERLYING SAID WALKWAY THROUGHOUT SUBSTANTIALLY ITS ENTIRE OUTWARD EXTENT FROM THE OUTER SURFACES OF SAID PERIPHERAL WALL. 